Ciprofloxacin is a fluoroquinolone antibiotic that fights bacteria in the human body. Cipro is used to treat many kinds of bacterial infections. Examples of common bacterial infections treated by Cipro are, bone and joint infections, diarrhea, respiratory tract infections, Typhoid fever, and Urinary Tract Infections. Like all antibiotics, it is not effective against viruses such as the common cold and Influenza.

You must Inform your doctor if you have kidney disease before starting this medication.

How Should I Use This Medicine?

Take this medicine by mouth with a glass of water. Follow the directions on your prescription label. Take your medicine at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. Take all your medicine as directed even if you think you are better. You can take this medicine with food or on an empty stomach. It can be taken with a meal that contains dairy or calcium, but do not take it alone with a dairy product, like milk or yogurt or calcium-fortified juice.

Over dosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.

Tell your health care professional if your symptoms do not improve. Do not treat diarrhea with over the counter products. Contact your provider if your diarrhea lasts more than 2 days or if it is severe and watery. You may get drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how this medicine affects you. Do not stand or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. This reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells. This medicine can make you more sensitive to sun. Keep out of the sun. If you cannot avoid being in the sun, wear protective clothing and use sunscreen. Do not use sun lamp or tanning beds/booths. Avoid antacids, aluminum, calcium, iron, magnesium, and zinc products for 6 hours before and 2 hours after taking a dose of this medicine. This medication may rarely cause tendon damage (E.G., tendinitis, tendon rupture) during or after treatment. Your risk is greater if you are over 60 years of age. Stop exercising, rest, and seek medical attention if you develop joint/muscle/tendon pain or swelling. For women: antibiotics can weaken the effects of oral birth control pills, please use alternative birth control until you have finished your medication and have your next period.

NOTE: This is a summary. It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider. For a full list of possible side effects see: www.drugs.com